Keyboard with ports

ABSTRACT

A keyboard device comprises a body including a hub circuit and a keyboard circuit coupled to hub circuit, a plurality of keys on the top of the body coupled to keyboard circuit, a signal connection means on the body coupled to hub circuit which is coupled to a first electronic means such that key may be pressed to cause keyboard circuit to generate a signal which is sent to first electronic means through hub circuit and signal connection means for being processed, and at least one port on the body each port having one end coupled to hub circuit and the other end coupled to a second electronic means. When second electronic means is coupled to port, the input means of second electronic means is faced toward user for ease of operation. Hence, signals from second electronic means may be sent to first electronic device through keyboard for being processed. Further, signals from first electronic means may be sent back to second electronic means through keyboard in response.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of computer keyboard and more particularly to a keyboard with ports having improved characteristics.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] A conventional computer configuration is illustrated in FIG. 1. As shown, computer 4 comprises a variety of ports 40 each having a specific interface specification (e.g., PS2 port, LPT port, 1394 port, or universal serial bus (USB) port) and a variety of peripherals 5 each having a unique connector 50 coupled to a corresponding port 40. Hence, signals from peripherals 5 may be sent to computer 4 for being processed. Also, signals from computer 4 may be sent back to peripherals 5 in response. Typically, it is required to install a specific driver in computer 4 when one of the peripherals 5 is first coupled to computer 4 as stated above. Then turn off computer 4 prior to powering on computer 4 again. Finally, user may operate that peripheral 5 if the power on test is passed. However, computer 4 may not be operated normally if that peripheral 5 is disconnected from computer 4. Further, the number of ports 40 may be not sufficient if there are many peripherals to be coupled to computer 4. Furthermore, computer 4 may be operated abnormally. It is required to install an associate driver in computer 4 when a peripheral 5 having a USB connector is first coupled to computer 4. User may operate the peripheral 5 immediately after the installation. Computer 4 may be still operated normally if that peripheral 5 is disconnected from computer 4. When user wants to use the peripheral 5, it may be coupled to computer 4 again without interrupting the normal operation of computer 4. It is a convenient design. Thus, such USB connector is incorporated in almost all peripherals 5.

[0003] Another conventional keyboard 7 is illustrated in FIG. 2. As shown, keyboard 7 comprises a recessed socket 70 having a port therein coupled to a connector of an electronic device 8 and a connector 72 at the free end of keyboard cable such that signals from keyboard 7 may be sent to computer 4 through connector 72. In both the peripheral 5 having connector as shown in FIG. 1 and peripheral 5 having USB connector, two cables are employed to connect keyboard 7 and electronic device 8 to computer 4 and keyboard 7 respectively. Hence, a plurality of cables are installed around computer 4 when a plurality of peripherals 5 are coupled to computer 4. It is known that there is little space available for the provision of such cables because most available space on and around table is occupied by computer, documents, or the like. Further, this may cause inconvenience and the office messy. Furthermore, this is not a good working environment. Thus improvement exists.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] It is an object of the present invention to provide a keyboard comprising a body, a plurality of keys on the top surface of the body, and at least one port. Hence, keyboard may be operated normally when port of the keyboard is coupled to a first electronic device. Also, a signal communication therebetween is effected when port of the keyboard is coupled to a second electronic device.

[0005] The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006]FIG. 1 schematically shows a conventional keyboard coupled to a computer;

[0007]FIG. 2 schematically shows another conventional keyboard coupled to a computer;

[0008]FIG. 3 is a block diagram schematically showing major components of a keyboard according to the invention;

[0009]FIG. 4 schematically shows a first preferred embodiment of keyboard according to the invention coupled to a computer; and

[0010]FIG. 5 schematically shows a second preferred embodiment of keyboard according to the invention coupled to a computer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Referring to FIGS. 3 through 5, there is shown a keyboard in accordance with the invention comprising a body 1 including a hub circuit 10, a keyboard circuit 12 coupled to hub circuit 10, and a plurality of keys 14 on the top surface of the body 1 being coupled to keyboard circuit 12, and a signal connection device 3 having one end coupled to hub circuit 10 and the other end coupled to a first electronic device 6. Hence, keyboard may be coupled to first electronic device 6 through signal connection device 3. In an embodiment of this invention, the first electronic device 6 is a computer, while it is appreciated by those skilled in the art that computer may be replaced by another suitable device without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. In operation, key 14 may be pressed to generate a signal from keyboard circuit 12. Then the signal is sent to first electronic device 6 through hub circuit 10 and signal connection device 3 for being processed by a conventional technique. Further, at least one port 16 is provided at body 1. Each port 16 has one end coupled to hub circuit 10 and the other end coupled to a second electronic device 2. In the embodiment, the second electronic device 2 is a fingerprint identifier, an image fetching device, a credit card reader, or a memory reader, while it is appreciated by those skilled in the art that any of above devices may be replaced by another suitable device without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. As such, the input means of second electronic device 2 is faced toward user for ease of operation after second electronic device 2 is coupled to port 16 (FIGS. 4 and 5). Hence, signals from second electronic device 2 may be sent to first electronic device 6 through keyboard for being processed. Also, signals from first electronic device 6 may be sent back to second electronic device 2 through keyboard in response.

[0012] As understood that a first electronic device having a USB connector is readily adapted to couple to a second electronic device having a USB port. Thus, the operation is convenient. Further, the second electronic device having a USB port may be expanded to accommodate 127 USB connectors through a plurality of universal serial bus hubs (USB Hub). Thus, it is impossible for the second electronic device having insufficient connectors when each coupled first electronic device having an incorporated USB connector.

[0013] In a first preferred embodiment of the invention as shown in FIG. 4, the hub circuit 10 is a USB hub circuit and each of ports 16 is a USB port. Hence, any of second electronic devices 2 having such USB port may be directly coupled to a USB connector. The USB connector of the second electronic device 2 is provided on a predetermined position thereon. Hence, the input means of second electronic device 2 is faced toward user for ease of operation after second electronic device 2 is coupled to USB port. As shown, the predetermined position of USB port is on the same surface as keys of keyboard. This configuration is suitable for compact electronic device having signal transmission capability inserted onto port of keyboard. Thus a keyboard incorporating such electronic device may facilitate signal input. Further, drawbacks of messy cables and space consuming occurred in prior art are eliminated.

[0014] In a second preferred embodiment of the invention as shown in FIG. 5, hub circuit 10 is a USB hub circuit and each of ports 16 is a port having a specific interface specification. A signal conversion circuit (not shown) is coupled between the USB hub circuit and the specific ports. Hence, any of second electronic devices 2 having such specific connector may be directly coupled to a port having a corresponding specific interface specification. Signal generated from second electronic device 2 is sent to the signal conversion circuit for converting into a USB signal through the specific connector of second electronic device 2 and the coupled corresponding specific port of keyboard. The converted signal is sent to first electronic device 6 for being processed through signal connection device 3. As shown, the specific connector of second electronic device 2 is provided on a predetermined position thereon. Hence, the input means of second electronic device 2 is faced toward user for ease of operation after second electronic device 2 is coupled to USB port. The predetermined position of USB port is on the same surface as keys of keyboard. This configuration is suitable for inputting signals from second electronic device 2. Further, drawbacks of messy cables and space consuming occurred in prior art are eliminated. In the invention, signal connection device 3 is a cable having one end coupled to hub circuit and the other end coupled to a port which is a USB port. While it is appreciated by those skilled in the art that the USB port may be replaced by another suitable means without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Moreover, a connector of second electronic device 2 is coupled to the USB port.

[0015] Referring to FIG. 5 again, the second preferred embodiment of the invention is shown for illustrating the effect achieved by the invention. As shown, keyboard is coupled to computer 6 through signal connection device 3. A fingerprint identifier 2 is inserted in port 16 of keyboard. A fingerprint fetching device (not shown) of fingerprint identifier 2 is provided at the same surface as keys 14. Finger of a person is first placed on fingerprint fetching device. Then fingerprint fetching device is activated to fetch fingerprint from the finger. The fetched fingerprint data is then sent to computer 6 for comparing with data in a fingerprint data base through fingerprint identifier 2, port 16, hub circuit 10, and signal connection device 3.

[0016] While the invention has been described by means of specific embodiments, numerous modifications and variations could be made thereto by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention set forth in the claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A keyboard device comprising: a body including a hub circuit and a keyboard circuit coupled to said hub circuit, a plurality of keys on said top surface of said body coupled to said keyboard circuit, a signal connection means on said body coupled to said hub circuit which is coupled to a first electronic means such that said key is operable to press to cause said keyboard circuit to generate a signal which is sent to said first electronic means through said hub circuit and said signal connection means for being processed; and at least one port on said body each having one end coupled to said hub circuit and said other end coupled to a second electronic means having an input means which is positioned for being adapted to operate; whereby signals from said second electronic means is sent to said first electronic device through said keyboard for being processed and signals from said first electronic means is sent back to said second electronic means through said keyboard in response.
 2. The keyboard device of claim 1, wherein said hub circuit is a universal serial bus (USB) hub circuit, each of said ports is a USB port, and said second electronic means further comprises a USB connector.
 3. The keyboard device of claim 2, wherein said USB connector of said second electronic means is provided on a predetermined position thereon such that said input means of said second electronic means is positioned for being adapted to operate after said second electronic means is coupled to said USB port.
 4. The keyboard device of claim 1, wherein said hub circuit is a USB hub circuit, each of said ports has a predetermined interface specification, and further comprising a signal conversion circuit coupled between said USB hub circuit and said ports having said predetermined interface specification such that said second electronic means having a connector with said predetermined interface specification is coupled to said port having said predetermined interface specification whereby signal generated from said second electronic means is sent to said signal conversion circuit for converting into a USB signal through said connector with said predetermined interface specification of said second electronic device and said coupled port having said predetermined interface specification of said keyboard device, and said USB signal is sent to said first electronic device for being processed through said signal connection means.
 5. The keyboard device of claim 4, wherein said connector with said predetermined interface specification of said first electronic means is provided on a predetermined position thereon such that said input means of said second electronic means is positioned for being adapted to operate after said second electronic means is coupled to said port having said predetermined interface specification.
 6. The keyboard device of claim 1, wherein said signal connection means is a cable having one end coupled to said hub circuit and said other end coupled to said port.
 7. The keyboard device of claim 1, wherein said first electronic means is a computer.
 8. The keyboard device of claim 1, wherein said second electronic means is a fingerprint identifier.
 9. The keyboard device of claim 1, 3, or 5, wherein said input means of said second electronic means is positioned on said top surface said same as that of said keys for being adapted to operate. 